Why you have trouble letting go

Ever wonder why it’s so hard to get rid of stuff when you change homes, even when you know you won’t use most of it? Read on to find out!

Insurance

Do you tend to keep old items around because one day you’ll “need” them? The 10 extra folding seats for annual parties, the outdated encyclopedias, et cetera? Okay, so you may not star on an episode of “Hoarders” anytime soon. But you know this habit is unhealthy – and impossible to maintain while downsizing.

Sentiment

Things with sentimental value, like old vases or family portraits, are often hardest to get rid of because they’re close to our hearts. The solution? Give them to family members, where you might still be able to see them when visiting their homes. You can also take pictures of the items and put them in photo albums or digital media (which take up considerably less space).

Fear

Common among newlyweds, you fear reprisal from Aunt Ida or Uncle Joe when they come over and see that the wedding gift they gave you — the one-of-a-kind velvet painting of dogs playing poker – isn’t prominently on display. Solution? Er, you’re on your own with this one!